Rennie makes three forward changes as All Blacks seek series win over Springboks in Soweto

Dave Rennie has named three changes to the All Blacks’ starting forward pack for Saturday’s series-deciding third Test against the Springboks in Soweto, with the series locked at one apiece.

Asafo Aumua comes in at hooker to replace Codie Taylor, who drops out of the matchday 23 entirely, while Samisoni Taukei’aho moves onto the bench. George Bower and Tyrel Lomax retain their places as the starting props.

In the second row, Sam Darry takes over from Fabian Holland — who shifts to the bench — to partner Tupou Vaa’i, who will win his 50th All Blacks cap. “Tupes is a top man,” Rennie said of the milestone. “It’ll be a special day for him and his family and additional motivation for us.”

Peter Lakai earns a start at blindside flanker, completing a loose forward trio alongside Luke Jacobson and captain Ardie Savea. There is also a family subplot to the occasion: Wallace Sititi has been named in the No.20 jersey for his first appearance of the series, the same number his sister Amarante wears for the Black Ferns in the opening match of the same double-header.

The entire backline is unchanged, with Cam Roigard and Ruben Love directing play behind the scrum, Jordie Barrett at fly-half, Quinn Tupaea at centre, Leroy Carter and Will Jordan on the wings, and Damian McKenzie at fullback.

Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord, who collided in the 37th minute of the first Test and were subsequently cleared to play, have been given an additional week to recover and remain absent. Cortez Ratima is the only player ruled out through injury.

“With both teams heading into the third Test one apiece, there’s everything to play for on Saturday,” Rennie said. “The team that doesn’t win this weekend can’t win the series. That’s the kind of challenge we love to rise to. The team is feeling fresh after a full week’s lead-in to the game, and we can’t wait to put everything out on the park.”

All Blacks team to play the Springboks

1. George Bower (28) 2. Asafo Aumua (24) 3. Tyrel Lomax (53) 4. Tupou Vaa’i (49) 5. Sam Darry (10) 6. Peter Lakai (12) 7. Luke Jacobson (29) 8. Ardie Savea (111, capt) 9. Cam Roigard (22) 10. Ruben Love (10) 11. Leroy Carter (9) 12. Jordie Barrett (83) 13. Quinn Tupaea (28) 14. Will Jordan (59) 15. Damian McKenzie (79)

Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (44) 17. Xavier Numia (3) 18. Fletcher Newell (39) 19. Fabian Holland (14) 20. Wallace Sititi (21) 21. Kyle Preston 22. Anton Lienert-Brown 23. Josh Moorby